“...You are truly a masterpiece.” The Prince, who had been bursting into laughter across from him for quite some time, wiped away the tears welling up in his eyes and dropped those words.
“Lord Noel, you have indeed brought a truly bizarre person. I never expected someone like this.”
“...?” Honestly, his reaction was half-provocation, but the response was surprisingly mild.
Thinking he wasn’t still planning to make another proposal, he was about to open his mouth when, as if he had read his mind, the Prince spoke a beat faster.
“Since you’ve gone that far, I have no intention of making any further proposals.
Wouldn’t it be best if you just stayed as you are?”
“...?” Aiden’s eyes narrowed even more at the refreshingly resolute refusal. “I know.
They’re sticking together because they like each other, so it’s hard to force them apart.” “....”
“However.” The Prince smiled sweetly as he continued.
“I understand that you will bear the ‘danger’ arising from that yourself.” His voice was calm and, as always, polite, but. “See you again later, Mr.
Aiden.” What resided within the crest the Prince left behind as he rose from his seat was a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one's spine. “I’m sure we’ll meet again.” … …
That was a fact that Aiden could deeply agree with.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Mr. Aiden.” “Yes?” “Lord Noel’s condition seems a bit strange. Do you happen to know anything about it?”
“…….” At the question Stella threw at him the moment they returned to the banquet hall, Aiden rolled his eyes. “What do you mean, strange condition? In what way…?”
“He was completely out of his mind, as if his soul had left his body, and then suddenly claimed he was feeling unwell and returned to the military headquarters.
He has never acted like this at an official event before…” “…….”
“Looking at how strangely flushed his complexion was, it doesn’t seem like a lie, but… he isn’t the type of person to fall ill so suddenly.” … …
No wonder he hadn’t been seen at all for a while.
Seeing Stella continuously dropping her voice in worry, Aiden nodded with a subtle expression. It was exactly what he had in mind.
-System Log
▶ The affection of the target 'Noel Astria Seamus' increases.
▶ The increase in affection is extremely high!
▶ The bond level skyrockets from 3 to 5.
▶ The number of skill copies is increased by 2!
▶ The accumulated bond is sufficiently high.
The application method of 'Weaver of Fate' will change soon!
▶ Related content will be added to the main quest soon!
▶ A new item will be added to the quest 'Fake Marriage'!
It exists. It does exist, but... “……Well.
I’m not sure either.” For now, he had no choice but to answer like this.
Honestly, if Lord Noel had heard the conversation they had just had, the rise in affection itself would be understandable.
He had worked hard to take the Prince's side, and at the very end… … . '… …
I want to die of embarrassment, honestly.' His face burned with shame at the thought that he had publicly blurted out something akin to a confession. I can just make up an excuse for Noel later.
It would be troublesome if she really misunderstood.
Actually, come to think of it, it’s not that troublesome.
After all, it is true that I obtained two copy rights. 'It is a gain, if you will.' It feels quite uncomfortable because this time, I didn't do it intentionally.
It is also noteworthy that my relationship with her is deepening. 'It’s dangerous.' … … He knows he is in a contradictory state.
Given his current situation, he must acquire every skill he can get his hands on to survive, and Lord Noel is too powerful a human to be excluded from that list of things to do.
Even setting aside his abilities, maintaining his 'marital relationship' with her right now is one of the key pillars determining his life.
No matter how you look at it, his relationship with her and his affection for her are essential for his survival. However, conversely.
That is why, if he were to become truly deeply human with Noel… … … that would give him a headache in its own way.
It is not because he dislikes Noel or that she is unimportant; rather, it is because she is 'too important' on the contrary. "I have to be careful with all the main characters." The task is similar to before.
Ultimately, raising their affinity is absolutely necessary.
However... in a situation where the protagonist is absent, Aiden is bound to face them until the main scenario ends.
If they were to get that close only to make a mistake and stumble...
It is said that the higher you rise, the greater the fall.
If a relationship that has grown close breaks deeply, repairing it is infinitely close to impossible.
It is even common for relationships to develop into one where it is easier to hurt each other the "closer" they get. That is just how life is.
And Aiden, at the very least, had the awareness that anyone in the world could end up like that.
Therefore, it is a matter that requires careful and delicate approach to all of them. "......." Still. Let's worry about that later.
For now, there are bound to be other things to worry about.
-Skill Info
◈ Weaver of Fate ⧾Arden Brimstone Lionel - Malice: Tier 1 - Can mimic 1 skill. ※ This is a target with whom it is impossible to build a 'Bond.' The skill's effect will be altered from the original!
Although this is a skill copy ticket I just snatched from the Prince, its mechanism of action feels a bit different from what he has used so far.
This is evident from the fact that it is labeled 'Imitation' rather than 'Copy,' and this feeling is amplified even further when you actually open the skill window and examine the internal effects. 'The performance has been drastically reduced.' Compared to the skills the Prince originally possessed, every single one of them is inferior in performance.
Whether it is power or applicable range, everything has been weakened, and some skills are even crossed out in red, as if imitation is impossible at all. However, there is something worth noting.
▶ The target's 'Malice' level is low.
▶ Currently, only 'Imitation' is possible.
▶ Raise the Malice level to unlock additional functions such as 'Repulsion,' 'Filter,' and 'Seal'!
Compared to skills copied through affection, it feels like they are packed with a lot of additional utility.
Instead of being able to use them at their original power,It feels like Aiden himself can exert some kind of 'influence' over this skill.
I suppose I'll only know the details after raising the level of Malice. 'More importantly, the fact that the condition is named 'Malice'... ...
Does this mean the more this person hates Aiden, the more skills he can use? "......." Even so, the activation condition is too confusing.
To think he has to go out of his way to acquire malice from others.
Aiden let out a deep sigh inwardly and stood up from his seat. "Are you leaving?" "Yes.
I've met everyone I was supposed to meet." That is what he said, but in reality, he has to meet the most troublesome person right now.
As he stepped out of the banquet hall and walked a short distance, a knight in full heavy armor caught his eye, perched on a fountain with his chin resting on his hand as if he were sleepy. ... ...
Actually, he wasn't a knight or anything. "So-boring—" As soon as he came into view, Katya flailed her legs and immediately blurted out that remark. "What is this? It's not fun at all. Isn't there some big incident happening?"
“……What kind of big incident are you talking about?”
“Why, anything at all, just something that will get you in trouble if you get caught.” “…….”
“Isn’t there anything like beating someone up, burning them, or killing them?”
“…….” The person saying this is the same individual who insisted on becoming an aide, claiming that attending any public event would invite disapproval.
“Didn’t you insist on being an aide yourself? You should be faithful to your duties.”
“That’s based on ‘spending time together.’ Did you forget?
I said I became an aide so I could stick with you for a long time!”
“…….” Bringing up a topic that puts pressure on others so casually is typical of Katya.
Aiden pressed his temples, which were throbbing with a headache, and responded.
“Then, shall we go do something fun together? We’re done with the banquet.” “Really?
What are we going to do?” Aiden subtly turned his head and scanned the area near the building where the banquet was taking place.
In any case, the banquet is an event held within the Imperial Palace, and this vast building is filled with spaces steeped in history and secrets. The place Aiden is targeting is one of them.
However, what appears to be happening on the surface—how should I put it? Hmm.
Aiden scratched his chin, trying to think of a slightly milder way to describe what he was about to do.
He realized that it didn't matter how he phrased it, so he just said it. “Grave robbing.” “......Oh.”
＊ ＊ ＊
“The Hall of Fame?” Katya, who had ‘infiltrated’ this place with him at Aiden’s request, brought that up.
She seemed to know exactly where this place was. “It’s a real grave.
You mean it was grave robbing, not just metaphorically?” The custom of honoring great figures is the same everywhere in the world, and the Empire is no exception.
This very place, the Hall of Fame, is a space dedicated to commemorating the artifacts and achievements of these great men.
Strictly speaking, it should be called a museum, but Katya’s assertion that it is a real grave is not wrong.
After all, it is a place where even the 'remains' of great figures are preserved if possible.
Perhaps finding the place fascinating, Katya looked around.
Aiden, who had been quietly following behind her, was casting a terrified glare. '… …
He really is a monster.' It goes without saying, but the Imperial Palace boasts top-tier security wherever you go.
The way he effortlessly broke through security in such a place, even taking Aiden with him, was enough to make one wonder if he was royalty or a professionally trained infiltration agent.
It felt like he possessed more than just one or two hidden talents. “……Your Highness.
You didn’t really fight properly when you fought Lord Noel before, did you?” “Huh? That wasn’t even a fight to begin with.”
“…….” It suddenly hit home just how much of a monster he had as his subordinate.
He shook his head and stepped into the Hall of Fame.
“But, when you say grave robbing, does that mean stealing something from here? What are you planning to steal? Weapons? Secret manuals? Armor?
Given what’s here, whatever you take would likely be top-quality.” The question fell, his heart pounding with nervousness at having done something that deserved a scolding.
Whether it was just my imagination or not, his eyes seemed to be sparkling.
And, though I didn’t know if it was a blessing or a curse, Aiden was prepared with an answer that would never disappoint her. “...The Great Man himself.”
“What?” Katya tilted her head, but instead of explaining, Aiden walked steadily forward.
As mentioned earlier, there were several preserved remains within this space.
And Aiden stopped right in front of one of those preserved remains that was in exceptionally good condition.
Spirits inhabit flesh, so the better the condition, the higher the probability of success for what he was about to do.
“...The Knight of Dawn?” Katya, having confirmed what the preservation box Aiden had stopped at was, called out that name. “Do you know? He is a great figure from the Empire.” “Isn’t it stranger not to know?
The ‘First Knight’ is still a staple subject for artists, you know?” A hero of the Empire who has accumulated countless military feats, achievements, and tales of valor.
The conqueror of the Nameless Valley, the supreme ruler who brought down the Spire of the Sky, a warrior of a thousand, the first and the strongest, and the most loyal servant of the Goddess Karba.
He is also the very first person to discover the usage and cultivation methods of Ki.
A knight who wields Ki in its purest state, a feat no one has yet surpassed except for Lord Noel.
“They say the Knight of Dawn is highly regarded even in the Holy Empire.
I doubt there is anyone on the continent who dislikes him.” That must be true.
He is indeed someone who possesses achievements worthy of such a reputation.
Even considering only the in-game lore Aiden knows, the accomplishments left by the Knight of Dawn are nothing but heroic deeds worthy of praise.
However, Aiden picked at his ear and responded nonchalantly.
“There is one thing I need to correct.” Aiden spoke calmly. “He’s not really that great of a person.”
“…….” In a truly rare turn of events, Katya’s expression turned bizarre.
It was as if she never imagined that a citizen of the Empire would speak of disparaging their own idol. “……Hmm, uh, really?
But isn’t he someone the Empire reveres as a hero?”
“They glorify him because he’s from the past. Honestly, he’s nothing special.” “…….”
“It’s just my personal suspicion, but,"That achievement might have been fabricated, too."
"Uh... ..." Instead of answering Katya's reaction asking what he meant, Aiden silently manipulated his spear.
After all, having said this much, it was highly likely that a 'reaction' would come soon.
-Skill Info
◈ Weaver of Fate ⎨ Rania A'shan ⎬ - Bond: Level 1 - Can copy 1 skill.
What he intends to use is the Skill Copy Ticket he received from Rania a while ago.
He copies a skill he had already scouted exactly. [ Copying the 'Spiritual Empathy' skill! ]
<Copied Skill>
◆ Spiritual Empathy Those who touch a divine being can see, converse with, and make contact with beings that others cannot see.
The sense of detecting spiritual beings is awakened.
And as soon as he copied that skill, subtle 'energies' were detected near his field of vision.
Hearing what he had just said, something like smoke was slowly rising near the remains of the Knight of Dawn. It must be visible only to him. As expected, he seems to be here.
The remains are preserved intact, and to be this 'strong' After all, a 'soul' doesn't vanish that easily. '… …
Necromancy isn't exactly an easy task, you know.' For the dead and the living to face each other is a natural occurrence, yet it defies providence.
Normally, it would require inviting a sorcerer of immense skill from the Far East just to barely make it possible, but under specific conditions, even a nobody like Aiden could do it. I mean, for example.
Like when a 'human strong enough to defy common sense' hears words they simply cannot tolerate even after death, causing their soul to return temporarily. The Knight of Dawn is a similar case. This guy.
His achievements are truly dazzlingly brilliant, but his personal character... "Petty." Aiden chuckled and continued. "If you have a complaint, come out and refute it." As soon as he heard those words, the smoke inside the preservation box vibrated even more intensely, and soon, something 'physically' began to affect the surroundings. "……What is it?" The wind blew hard enough to startle even Katya, surrounding objects shook, and skin tingled. It must be absurd.
To cause such phenomena merely through 'presence.' It is an indirect demonstration of just how strong the 'spirit' inside is.
In other words, as the game users call him, 'The World's Strongest Petty Person.' Apart from such outstanding abilities, he has an extremely petty, narrow-minded nature that absolutely cannot stand it when others insult him.
In short, even in death, he is the type of person who cannot stand it when Aiden speaks to him. [-What did you say, you jerk-!] … … That’s right.
As soon as he confirmed that the enraged spirit was bursting out from inside the remains, Aiden let out a sarcastic laugh inwardly.